Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32745, William Gordon, Continental Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass.
Gordon, William
S. 32745
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.

Go to R 15, p 56 Massachusetts.
William Gordon.
Whirhaven in the state of Mass. ts — a lieutenant in the regiment commanded by Colonel Crane, of the Massach ts e, for the term of seven years.
scribed on the Roll of Massachusetts. at the rate of 20 Dollars per month, to commence on the 10. of May, 1818.
ertificate of Pension issued the 11. of Nov 10 1819 and sent to Nahum Mitchell, Judge, East-Bridgewater, M ts .
Arrears to 4th of Sept r 1819. $: 316.86
emi-anl. all ce ending 4. March 2 120. "
15 mo s  \frac{22}{31} } 1820. } 436.86 4/30. . . }
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Seventeen

cc letter to Hon. J. Reed Esq. 23.1836
Wiltshire sent Sep 15 th 1820 to J d Sprout Esq at of Bristol C o Gauntun Meas -
Date of death not on list

See letter to Hon. J. Reed A.D. 23.1836
Interment Oct 29 th 1820 by Rev. J. M. at the Ch h Burial C o Ganton Mass.
Date of death not on AB

No. 1 Original payment 913
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Aug. 28. 1828
William Gordon, of Fairhaven, in the County of Bristol, in the State of Massachusetts has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the army of the Revolution," approved on the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he was as an officer on the Continental line, and served as such to the end of the war,
at which period he was a 1 st Lieutenant in the Artillery regiment of the Massachusetts line; and that he received commutation certificates for the five years full pay granted by the resolve of 22 March, 1783; and, further, that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, notwithstanding dollars, paid to him by the agent in the State of
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far these several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.
By order of the Secretary, A. Dickinson.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
2 nd September 1828
It appears by the records in this office, that final settlement certificates have been issued for the commutation of five years full pay to the line, amounting to dollars.
It further appears that William Gordon is now on the pension list of any agency, and has been since the 3 rd March 1826 at the rate of per month.
The Revolutionary records in this office furnish no information whatever in relation to the services of Lieutenant William Gordon of the Massachusetts line -
Richd Hagner And

I William Gordon (a native of Boston) was, and for several years past an inhabitant of Fairhaven, in the County of Bristol, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby declare, that I was an Officer in the Continental Line of the Army of the Revolution, and served as such to the end of the war, at which period I was a first Lieutenant in the Regiment of Artillery of the Massachusetts Line. And I also declare that I afterwards received a Certificate, (commonly called a commutation certificate) for a sum equal to the amount of five years full pay of a first Lieutenant in said Regiment of Artillery, which sum was offered by the resolve of Congress of the 22 d of March 1783, instead of the half pay for life, to which it was entitled under the resolve of the 21 st of October 1780. I also declare that early in May 1818, I tendered to the Secretary of War an application for a Pension, which application was accompanied by proofs of my services as a Lieutenant in the Army of the Revolution, in consequence of which I received a Pension Certificate, dated November 11 th 1819, and numbered 15,756. said certificate is now in my possession. I received pension money at the rate of 20 dollars per month, from the 10 th of May 1818 to the 5 th of March 1820, since which time I have not received any pension money, my name being struck from the pension list on account of my property. My commission I cannot transmit, it being lost with sundry other documents, occasioned by shipwreck on my passage across the Atlantic soon after the war. In the year 1788 I was ordered with a detachment from said Line of Artillery to do duty in, and take the command of a fort at the entrance of the Harbour of Boston (now called the Harbour of New Bedford and Fairhaven) I retained the command of said garrison to the conclusion of the war, when the fort was dismantled, and the troops discharged.
William Gordon.
Fairhaven, 9 July 19 th 1820.

We the subscribers, namely Cornelius Grinnell of New Bedford, and James Taber of Fairhaven, both in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify, and say, that William Gordon by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed, is generally reputed and believed to have been an Officer in the Army of the Revolution in manner as therein stated — But we personally know, that a considerable time prior to the issuance of hostilities, he came with a detachment of Artillerists, took possession and command of the Fort at the entrance of this Harbour, and continued doing duty therein to the close of the war. From that period to the present time, he & his family have had their home in this vicinity.
Cornelius Grinnell
James Taber
Before me Samuel Williams Jr. Justice of the Peace in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, personally appeared this day Cornelius Grinnell Esq. of New Bedford & James Taber Esq. of Fair Haven both in the County of Bristol who severally affirmed that the foregoing testimony by them subscribed is just & true according to the best of their knowledge and recollection. Witness my hand this twenty third day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight — Samuel Williams Jr.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
To all to whom these presents shall come, I, James Sproat Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, for said County, do hereby certify, that Sumner Neil- chams Esq. whose signature is affixed to the foregoing paper, is a Justice of the Peace, within said County, & duly qualified to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, & affixed the seal of said Court, this Eleventh day of August, in the year of our Lord, Eighteen Hun- dred & Twenty eight. — J. S. Sproat.

Fairhaven, July 19 th 1828.
The inclosed letter from Governor Hancock, transmit to you as an auxiliary evidence of my sustaining military command to the close of the war. — The flag schooner Alfred had on board a number of persons, who, in the early stages of the war absented themselves from sundry towns in this vicinity, and adhered to the enemy in New York; on the approach of peace, under the subterfuge of a flag and pass of making a short visit, they were in hopes of permission to land, which if granted, having many friends in this section of the State, it would be easy for them to find a cover, and elude discovery. Under these impressions I directed the schooner to be anchored alongside the pier, placed a guard on board, with injunctions not to suffer person to come on board, or leave said vessel without my special permission in writing. — This mandate occasioned great excitement and ebullition in the Selectmen & most of the Town Officers, by the patriotic thermometer, scarcely ever arose to lukewarm, and they had many candidates among the commonality. They remonstrated against my procedure, disputed my jurisdiction, and contended that as the vessel was within the boundaries of Wartisquoth the Selectmen of said town were the only persons who of right had any control over her. Thus situated, I deemed it expedient to meet my opponents on their own ground, by appealing to the higher civil authority for the state. The letter contains the result. Please to send it back to me, I set a high value on memorials of olden time, wrote by such renowned patriots, especially when they contain approbation of my conduct, in the times that tried men's souls .
I am Sir with due deference & respect your obedt Servt
William Gordon.
Hon. Richard Rush Esq.
P.S. Should you have occasion to write me, please to address to Cap t William Gordon, North Fairhaven, County of Bristol.

811 8 24
✓ W. Gordon. recd. Aug. 16. 1828 ackd. 28.
2
Lincoln
June
1
1

Ms. A. 9. 2. 17 pany (129)
Dec 10 th 1828.
Fairhaven, Bristol Co. Massa. Jan y 10 th 1829.
Hon d Sir,
Your letter of the 28 th August last reached me a short time after date; by which I was informed "that my claim as an Officer of the Revolutionary Army, had been received, that it would be examined with all convenient despatch, and the result communicated to me" —
I beg leave to inform you, that no letter from your department, directed to me, has been received at either of the Post Offices in this town, since the arrival of the one above mentioned. By condescending to transmit to me, such further information on the subject as you may deem expedient, you will confer a peculiar favour, on your very humble serv t .
P.S. I wish to have the letter addressed to me by Gen l Hancock dated March, 1783 — returned to me
William Gordon.
Humble Richard Rush Esq r .
William, county of Bristol.

William Gordon
No. 15786
Dec r 1819
Met Enl.
Wrentham
Mar 20

District of Massachusetts ss. Circuit Court of Common Pleas June Term 1820. by adjournment to the seventeenth day of July 1820. Held at Taunton in and for the County of Bristol.
On this seventeenth day of July 1820. personally appeared in open Court, being a Court of Record for the County of Bristol: William Gordon, aged sixty six years, resident in Falmouth in said County, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath declare, that he served that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: viz. in the Massachusetts State Regiments of Artillery, Commanded by Col's Crafts and Revere, from May 1775 to May 1780. That he then engaged as a Lieut. to serve during the War, in the Corps of Artillery commanded by Col. Crane, in the Massachusetts Line, and continued an acting Lieutenant in said Corps until August 1783. and was then discharged, the detail of his services being set forth in his original Declaration, dated May 9th. 1818. and has received a Pension Certificate No. 15,755. And I the said William Gordon do solemnly swear that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818, and that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any manner dispose of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" passed on the 18th day of March 1818; and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed & by me subscribed.
Wm Gordon
Schedule of Real & Personal Estate, Property of William Gordon July 1820.
   Articles Value Articles Value     One Dwelling House (*) 500 00 12 Knives & Forks & 2 Iron Spoons 1 60   4 Shares in School House nominal $ 10 00.5 3 Old Trunks & 1 Pine Chest 2 00   1 Horse & Carriage 50 00 1 Can with drawers (antique) 3 50.   1 Devine 2 50. 1 Tea Set of Liverpool Ware 2 00   1 Silver watch (old) 7 00. Pitchers, Bottles, Decanters & Glasses 3 50.   1 Desk & Book Case 15 00 12 Small Pictures 2 00   3 Tables & 2 Stands 12 00 Earthen Platters, Plates & Bowls 2 00   2 Looking Glasses 8 00 2 Iron Pots & 2 iron Kettles 2 00   18 Chairs 8 00 2 Cakettes, 1 Cakeplate, 1 Spider, 2 Skittles 3 00.   2 Iron Andirons 3 50. Several tin utensils 1 50   2 Sets Shovel & Tongs 1 50 2 Wash tubs, 2 Pails, Mop & Pail 2 50   1 Set Silver Tea Spoons 3 00 4 Spinning Wheels & 1 Rail 0 00   2 Pewter Platters & 2 plates 1 00 Miscellaneous Books 15 00.   1 piece flat Iron 0 50 2 Shares in N. Bedford Library 6 00   2 Knives & 2 tin Candlesticks 90. Aggregate of debts due me 30 00   2 Tin Lamps & 1 trimmer 70. 1 Cradle & 1 pr. Bellows 1 50   1 Waxing Press 1 00   $ 624 60. $ 84 10.  
* The Lot of land on which my dwelling house stands, is not my property. It is leased me by the owner for a certain number of years, for which I have to pay $50. per annum.
N.B. The greater part of my household goods is antiquated & much worn, having been used in my family upwards of thirty years.
The annual income I receive from my fees as deputy Sheriff is from 90 to 100 Dollars, and I am indebted to Sunday premiums the aggregate sum of 185 Dollars. Wm Gordon.
Sworn to and declared in open Court on the seventeenth day of July A.D. 1820.
Attest James Sprague Clerk of the Court Bristol P.O.

We the Subscribers, having examined the several articles named in the within Schedule of property belonging to William Gordon of Fairhaven have appraised the same at Seven Hundred and eight Dollars and seventy Cents
$708.70. Given under our hands at Fairhaven this fifteenth day of July A.D. 1870.
Alfred Nye } Appraisers. Thomas Wood }
This certifies that I have attended as Physician to Capt. William Gordon & family for more than twenty years; that he has been afflicted with an Inguinal Hernia or Rupture in his Groin a number of years, for which he has been obliged constantly to wear a truss or bandage, which complaint has increased annually in magnitude, inconvenience & pain, and rendered him unable to perform hard labour, particularly in his advanced age. His wife has, within two years past, had two severe lung fevers, which have left her lungs so much affected, that there seems little or no probability of her being restored to health, or to a state to perform labour excepting of a light kind. His Daughter, who lives with him, has a very delicate constitution; is much enfeebled by a fit of the inflammatory rheumatism, with which she was attended last winter, by which she is rendered unable to perform labour excepting such as does not require any great exertion or strength.
New Bedford July 12 th . 1870.
Saml D. Dreyf.

After my discharge from the Army, not being a handicraftsman or mechanic, I followed the seafaring business for a maintenance. Many years after which, I betook myself to agricultural labor for a livelihood, and continued therein until I was obliged to desist by a Hernia or Rupture, and have for several years past been constrained to wear a truss or bandage to keep up the protrusion.
Part of the years 1808 and 1809 I was employed by the U. S. Government in the command of the Revenue Cutter Thetis , cruising in the waters & about the shores of Georgia. In the spring 1809 it became necessary for me to convey by land an official communication from the Collector of Sunbury to the Collector of Savannah. In the course of my journey, my horse took fright, and running full speed, upset the carriage, by which event my right shoulder was dislocated, & the shoulder blade fractured. This contingency has much impaired the use of my right arm. Being thus rendered incapable of laborious employment, & by the assistance of my townsmen, obtained an appointment as Deputy Sheriff, which office I still retain, the fees accruing therefrom, and a few dollars I receive per year for my services in the surveying lots of land, are all the means under my control for the support of myself and family. These have been quite inadequate, & the lack has been in a great measure supplied by the occasional benefactions of my son. Travelling has now become painful to me, and should my malady increase I shall be constrained to relinquish my office.
My Family comprises myself aged 66 years. My wife, Nabby Gordon, aged 59 years, and my daughter Sally aged 18 years. They have for several years past been industriously employed in domestic manufactures, by which myself and family have been furnished with apparel and some bed furniture. The infirmities of age, and the result of reticulate & severe fits of sickness, has now rendered them incapable to pursue that occupation, as will appear by the annexed Certificate of my family Physician.
A recurrence to my original application will show, that during the Revolutionary War, I served under the banners of my country against the common enemy seven years and three months without interruption except the time I was a prisoner. Should my pension be discontinued, I shall be obliged to dispose of my dwelling house at a forced sale, to cancel my debts, and furnish my family with a short line subsistence. Aided by that donation, under the direction of prudence and frugality, I think I shall be enabled the residue of my life to procure the blessing (in part) which Agur prayed for, viz. "Food convenient for me."
All which is humbly submitted to the consideration and decision of the Honble Secretary.
William Gordon
Property valued at $708.70.
I, James Pease clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the County of Bristol do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is Seven hundred and eight dollars and seventy cents. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court, on this twenty seventh day of July 1820
James Pease Clerk of the Court for the County of Bristol.

William Gordon Sergeant, Fairhaven -
Col. Crane's Reg. Arty. Massachusetts Line. 1701 for the war - 10 May 1010.
Name not on Crane's muster rolls. Proof of service in that regiment must be adduced.
William Mitchell, Esq. E - Wincanton M.P.
Admitted.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
88.
On this 10 th day of May Anno 1818, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Southern Circuit, personally appeared William Gordon of Fairhaven Co. of Bristol aged sixty four years, resident in the said Circuit, who being by me first duly cautioned according to law, on his oath made the following declaration, by him signed, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war," viz That he enlisted & entered into the said war the 8 th of May 1776, being then at, & a native of, Boston, in a Regiment of Artillery commanded by Col. Thomas Crafts' Regiment & Mass ts Line & in Capt. Winthrop Gray's Company as a private & continued to serve in said Reg t as a conductor of Military stores for one year, and then engaged for three years more and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the same Corps and continued to serve therein until May 1780 in said capacity of Lieut. That he was then Commissioned as first Lieut. in Capt. Amos Lincoln's Company & Col. Cromer's Reg t of Artillery in the Massachusetts Line and continued to serve therein in said capacity of Lieut. for and during the war agreeably to his said engagement and was discharged from the service at the end of the war at old Dartmouth in Massachusetts in August 1783. having served without intermission against the common enemy seven years and three months - That he was in the battle on Rhode Island; and he was

He also further declares that from his reduced circumstances he needs the assistance of his country for support.
wounded and taken prisoner - that he lost his first commission when a prisoner, being taken from him by the enemy; and his other he lost since the war in a wreck at sea - and has no further evidence in writing to exhibit - *
The Hon Lem d Williams being sworn before me the said Judge testifies and says that he well knows the said W m Gordon, and knew him to serve as a Lieut t in the revolutionary war for a long time & has no doubt he served as he has above stated -
And I, the said Judge, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said William Gordon did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, on the continental establishment; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress, & that he needs the assistance of his country for support.
Nahum Mitchell
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Plymouth ss. May 22
1818.
I HEREBY CERTIFY, That Hon Nahum Mitchell is one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Southern Circuit, consisting of the Counties of Plymouth, Norfolk, Bristol, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket in said Commonwealth—that the same Circuit Court of Common Pleas is a Court of record—that the signature to the above certificate is the true signature of the said Judge, and that the seal thereunto affixed is the seal of the said Court.
W m B Thomas } Clerk of the Judicial Court for the County of Plymouth

April 24, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/EEL William Gordon-S.32745
Mrs. W.F.Jerome Dexter Michigan
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of William Gordon, of Boston, Massachusetts, who served as lieutenant and captain in the Revolutionary War; also, the record of John Bond, of Conway, Massachusetts, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
A careful search of the Revolutionary War records has been made and no record found of a claim for pension or bounty land having been made to the United States based upon the military service in that war of a John Bond, who served with the Massachusetts Troops or who applied for pension while residing in that state. Such claims are the source of the data furnished by this office.
It is suggested that as a possible means of obtaining information in regard to the military service of that soldier, you apply to The Adjutant General, War Department, this city, who is custodian of military records.
A very careful examination has been made of the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.32745, based upon the military service of William Gordon in that war and the data found are furnished you herein.
William Gordon was born in Boston, Massachusetts. The date of his birth and the names of his parents are not shown.
While residing in Boston, William Gordon enlisted May 8, 1776, served as a private and conductor of stores in Captain Winthrop Gray's Company, Colonels Thomas Crafts' and Revere's Regiment of Massachusetts Artillery; length of service, one year; immediately reentered the service and was commissioned lieutenant in same company; in May, 1780, was commissioned 1 st lieutenant, served in Captain Amos Lincoln's Massachusetts Company and in Colonel Crane's Regiment of Artillery:
Sol in mass Std VOL 6 page 639.
Could not find that Capt Amos Lincoln was ever under Crane so wrote it this way.

in the spring of 1781, William Gordon with a detachment of about twenty men was ordered to proceed to Dartmouth(later called Fairhaven) Massachusetts, and take possession of and command the fort at the entrance to the harbor at that place, which duty he performed and was in command of said fort until the end of the war. He left the service in August, 1783, having served seven years and three months without intermission. He was in the battle on Rhode Island where he was wounded and taken prisoner; nature of the wound suffered and length of time held in captivity, not stated.
After the Revolution, he followed the sea for a number of years; during 1808 and 1809, he was in command of the United States Revenue Cutter, "Thetis", cruising about the shores of Georgia; in 1820, he was deputy sheriff of Bristol County, Massachusetts.
He was allowed pension on his application executed May 10, 1818, at which time he was sixty-four years of age and resided in Fairhaven, Bristol County, Massachusetts.
In 1820, he stated that his family then residing with him consisted of his wife, Nabby, aged fifty-nine years and a daughter, Sally, aged eighteen years. He referred also, to a son but did not give the son's name, and there are no further data as to family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

Sir
I herewith enclose You certain Papers & a letter for our Wm Gordon Esq. - Please to inform me whether - The Family of Gordon is entitled to land or money from the Government
With Respect Mr Ob. + Servant John Reed
House of Rep April 6. 1836
N. B. Please to return me the letter & Papers -

Act 1828 Settled at Treasury Cons d with Invalid file
$32,745

No evidence in the Pension Office except the report of 2 persons that he was in service.
Revolutionary Claims.
Under the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved 15th May, 1828.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, 6 Dec 1828
The annexed paper, relating to the claim of William Gordon under the abovementioned act, is respectfully referred to the Secretary of War, with a request that he will be pleased to cause me to be informed whether a commission, and if  what evidence  so what commission was received at the War Department, from the claimant, on an application stated to have been heretofore made by him for a pension.
Richard Rush
The Hon. the SECRETARY OF WAR.
See letter of the War Dept 12 Dec 1828.

Revolutionary Claims.
Under the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved 15th May, 1828.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
11 Sept 1828.
The annexed paper, relating to the claim of William Gordon , under the abovementioned act, is respectfully referred to the Secretary of War, with a request that he will be pleased to cause me to be informed whether it appears, by any records in the War Department, that the claimant has received, or is entitled to receive, the bounty in land granted by Congress for service in the Continental line of the Army of the Revolution; and, if so, whether he became entitled to the same by service to the termination of the war, or in what other manner.
Richard Rush.
The Hon. the SECRETARY OF WAR.
Line - Major - not returned
War Department
Bounty Land Office
19. Sep r . 1828
William Gordon, a Lieutenant in the Massachusetts Line, is not returned, as entitled to land from the United States, nor has a warrant issued for him.
E. Stephen

On my passage from Dunkirk to the United States in the ship Dauphin, W m Haydon commander, I lost my commission with other papers, in the wreck of said ship December 1786 —
The Commission was signed by John Hancock Presid t of Congress —

I Lettie Washburn of Fairhaven (formerly called Dartmouth) do testify & say, that during the Revolutionary War, I was in the military service of the United States, nearly three years, seven months of which I served as a matross in Col. Brann's train of artillery in the Massachusetts line. That William Gordon was resident in Fairhaven was then an acting Lieutenant of said train of artillery, and I frequently did duty under his immediate orders & command. — On my return home to Dartmouth towards the close of the war, I found said Lieut. Gordon, with a number of the artillery men under his command, doing duty in the Fort at the entrance of the harbour, in this command he continued until the end of said war.
Lettie Washburn —
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol County to wit. Oct o 5 th 1819 Personally appeared the above named Lettie Washburn, and made Oath to the truth of the above deposition — and I further certify that the said Deponent is a credible witness; And has received a pension certificate from the United States —
James Faber Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss. Oct 22. 1819.
This is to certify that the above named James Faber is a Magistrate in the County of Bristol & the above appears to be his genuine signature and hand writing.
Nahum Mitchell: Judge

I Samuel Hitch of Fairhaven, in the County of Bristol, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do testify and declare, That (according to the best of my recollection) in the Spring of the year 1780, Lieut William Gordon, with about twenty men, being a detachment from the Artillery in the Massachusetts Line, arrived at Fairhaven (then called Dartmouth) and took possession and command of the Fort at the entrance of the harbour of said Fairhaven & New Bedford. That after his arrival the Garrison was augmented, by detachments from the Militia within Bristol County, and by voluntary enlistments of men for certain number of months, upon what was then called the Sea-coast Establishment. In said establishment I enlisted to do duty as a Soldier, and accordingly did duty as a Soldier in said Garrison under the command of said Lieut Gordon by repeated enlistments for a few months, until the 1st of April 1783, when in consequence of the cessation of hostilities, the Sea-Coast men were all discharged; but said Lieut Gordon with his detachment continued to do duty in said Fort until the termination of the war, when the Fort was dismantled, and said detachment discharged. — And I further testify, That during my continuance in said Garrison, Lieut Gordon enlisted a number of men as matrosses in the Corps of Artillery to which he belonged. The terms of their enlistments were to serve during the War, & to do duty in any of the United States — and on their passing muster, they received a bounty and a suit of uniform cloathing. — My dwelling house being within a quarter of a mile of said Fort, I had daily opportunities of knowing both Officers & men composing the garrison during the Revolutionary War. — — — — — Samuel Hitch
Bristol ss
Affirmed and Subscribed by the said Samuel Hitch before me this seventeenth day of September A D 1819 And I further certify that the above Deposition is a credible witness.
James Pabes Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Plymouth ss. Octo r 23. 1819.
This is to certify that the within named James Faber is a Magistrate in the County of Bristol and the within appears to be his genuine signature and handwriting —
Nahum Mitchell: Judge Deu

Information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- on file in this Bureau. William Gordon P.F. 32745
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May 8, 1776 1 year Pvt. { Discharged military status Jonathan Gray Thomas Crafts Mass.   1777 3 years Lieut. " " "   May 1780 Aug. 1783 1 st Lieut. Amos Lincoln Gerard { Artillery Continental Continental    Wounded and taken prisoner in battle of Rhode Island In 1808 & 1809 was in command of Revenue Cutter Thetis and in 1820 was Deputy Sheriff of Bristol Co. Mass.
Battles engaged in, See above.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Boston
Date of application for pension, May 10, 1818. His el. was al.
Residence at date of application, Fairhaven Bristol Co. Mass.
Age at date of application, 64 years. Born at Boston
Remarks: In 1820 his wife Abby 59 years old and daughter Sally 18 years were living - also a son whose name was not stated

Dexter Moulton April 10-1935.
The Veteran's Administration Washington D.C.
Dear Sir, - I desire a copy of pension record of William Gordon of Boston Mass. a Lieutenant or Captain in the Revolutionary War. (Wife Temperance Grant)
Also the pension record of John Bourd of Conway Mass. for service in Rev. War.
Thanking you
Mrs W. F. Houlton

RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by L. D. L.
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant Lt.
Soldier Wm Gordon
Service _____
Additional Service Rev. War
No. _____ claim, State records _____, 190_____
No claim, combination records _____, 190_____
REMARKS:
No such claim except mod. # 32745

J-32745"> J 32745
William Gordon
Aged 64 - May 10 - 1818 - born Fairhaven, Bristol Co. Mass Applied for pension
Enlisted as pt. May 1776 at Boston
Capt Winthrop Gray. Col Thos. 1 yr Craft Regt. Arty.
1777 - Lt. Same Corps 3 yrs.
May 1780 1 st Lt. Capt. Amos Lincoln Co. Col Crane's Regt. Arty. Mass Line Died Aug 1783.
7 yrs + 3 mos. Service
In battle on R.I. wounded and taken prisoner.

OWAN
New Bedford, Massachusetts, August 7, 1901.
Hon. H. Clay Evans, Commodore of Reserves, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
I am desirous of obtaining information as to the war record of Captain William Gordon , an officer of the Revolutionary Army , who died at the age of 81 years in New Bedford, June 26, 1835.
His descendants have the impression that he was a Revolutionary Pensioner, and as such would be recorded at the Pension office.
Can you oblige them and me in furnishing the record that the Government may have of his officer service, in the archives under your control?
I am very respectfully, Thomas R Rodman

To Gen. of Pensions Wash. D.C.
July 23 '08
Dear Sir,
Kindly inform me as to whether Wm Gordon, Conductor, Col. Thos. Crafts Artill- ery Regt. also 1st Lieut of Capt. Paul Revere's corps of artillery (Revolutionary War), from Jan. 1, 1780 to May 8, rec'd a pension. Also send any record you may have of him after the war.
Respectfully
Wm. L. H. Diers Seward Seward Co. Nebr.

32745 Rev INVALID.
File No. 32,735
William Gordon
Sent Rec. Rec
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 159
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Aug. 14, 1901 Thomas R. Rodman New Bedford, Mass. 1908 July 30 Hishat to Mrs. G. H. Diers. V.P.M. 1935-Apr 24 - Hishat to Mrs. W. F. Jerome - E.H.